St. Lawrence County Representatives discuss raising sales tax

St. Lawrence County (WTNY) -- One of St. Lawrence County's representatives in the New York State Senate says he is open to sponsoring legislation that would allow the county to increase it's sales tax, but it does come with some strings attached.

The Republican lawmaker says the county needs to conduct an audit into it's finances. The county has been seeking state approval to raise it's sales tax for several years, but neither Griffo nor Senator Patty Ritchie have been willing to sponsor the home rule legislation needed to boost the tax.

Griffo also says county residents should be given the opportunity to vote on whether or not the county should raise the sales tax, which current stands at 3%. The county wants to raise that to 4%.